SHIPSHEWANA—The Shipshewana/LaGrange County Convention and Visitors Bureau welcomes 10 new graduates of the Tourism Academy program. This group of hospitality professionals is the third graduating class since its launch in 2024.
The free course is open to frontline workers, support staff, event workers, volunteers, managers, and business owners. It contains specialized training designed to instruct and guide professionals on using the tools to work with Shipshewana and LaGrange County visitors.
“So many people have invested time learning how to assist visitors best and gain the tools to welcome them to our charming small towns,” said Shipshewana/LaGrange County CVB Executive Director Sonya Nash. “Shipshewana and LaGrange County are well known for their Hoosier hospitality, and we are so proud to offer a resource to build upon that.”
The Third 2025 graduating class of Tourism Academy:
- Yoder Department Store
- Dee Hostetler
- Andre Yoder
- Ryan Camacho
- Noah Tuttle
- Kim Taylor
- Samantha Herring
- Zack Folland
- Christina Krull
- My Amish Indiana (photo by the quilt in the office)
- Susan Mosey
- Gary Mosey
“I am beyond thrilled to congratulate the third graduating class! We are so happy about the overwhelming response and support of Tourism Academy,” said course designer and Group Sales & Visitor Center Manager Judy McConnell.
In 2023, tourism and travel contributed $253.9 million to LaGrange County’s economy. Compared to $176.6 million in 2017, representing an increase of 7.3%. The total number of jobs created in 2023 in Shipshewana and LaGrange County was 1,965. In 2024, more than 2.5 million people visited LaGrange County.
The 10 graduates bring the total number of graduates since the program launched in May 2024 to 85. The CVB is working on a second edition of the Tourism Academy and plans to release it in the spring.
About Shipshewana/LaGrange County CVB
The Shipshewana/LaGrange County CVB oversees tourism, advertising, marketing, and public relations for LaGrange County. The dedicated team of professionals works tirelessly with multiple businesses and partners to share the stories of the region’s people, places, and experiences. It is the only organization in LaGrange County tasked with communicating and representing the visitor economy to the outside world.
Phone: 260-768-4008
Website: www.visitshipshewana.org.
